Fit with the themes
The work should speak to soil ecology, fertility, conservation, formation, geotechnics, or measurement.
Speakers and proposals
A roster built around questions, not titles.
The speaker lineup is assembled to cover the program themes and to balance laboratory research, field practice, and early career work. This page explains how contributions are chosen and what a proposal should contain.
How speakers are selected
Relevant, clear, and connected to land
Contributions are reviewed for relevance to soil metagenomics, clarity of method, and connection to a land or engineering question. The program aims to balance established researchers with people presenting work in progress.
Reviewers look for a question that can be stated plainly, a method that can be described, and a result that matters beyond a single site. A famous name is not a substitute for a clear contribution.
Confirmed speaker listings show the person, affiliation, session, and topic. A listing appears only after the speaker has agreed to take part.
Review criteria
What makes a strong contribution
A clear question
The proposal should name the question, not only the topic or the technique.
Methods described plainly
Sampling, controls, and analysis should be understandable to people outside the immediate specialty.
Relevance beyond one site
The contribution should explain what others can use, compare, or question in their own work.
Willingness to discuss
Speakers are expected to take questions, including questions that challenge the interpretation.
Access needs stated early
Tell the team about any requirement that affects your session, travel, or presentation format.
Call for proposals
Send the question before the slides
Proposals are welcome for talks, posters, and workshops. Start with a title, a short abstract, the format you prefer, and the question your work addresses. Include any equipment or accessibility needs so the team can plan the session.
Students and early career researchers are encouraged to propose posters and short talks. The review looks at the work and the clarity of the question, not the length of a curriculum vitae.
Prepare a proposal messageProposal checklist
- Title of the contribution
- A short abstract
- The question and setting
- The method and its limits
- Preferred format
- Access or equipment needs
Research communities
Independent societies and networks
These organizations are separate from SOILS. They are useful places to follow work in soil ecology, microbiology, and soil science.
Canadian Society of Soil Science
A national society for soil scientists, with publications and public outreach.
Visit the societyBritish Society of Soil Science
A professional body for soil scientists, with public resources and events.
Visit the societyAmerican Society for Microbiology
A broad microbiology community with journals, policy work, and public education.
Visit the societyISME
The International Society for Microbial Ecology connects researchers across microbial systems.
Visit ISMEPresent your work
Give the question a room.
Bring a method, a result, or a problem that needs other eyes. The program team can help you choose the right format.